EDDIE HOWE was delighted to see Sean Longstaff shake off his status as an unsung hero and assume centre stage during Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg win over Southampton last night.

Longstaff scored both of Newcastle’s goals as they claimed a 2-1 victory to secure an aggregate success at St James’ Park.

The North Shields-born midfielder claimed the Man of the Match honours thanks to his goalscoring heroics, an honour that is sure to mean a great deal to the boyhood Newcastle fan.

Longstaff initially struggled to secure a first-team place under Howe, but he has gradually evolved into a key part of the head coach’s preferred starting line-up.

Howe said: “He’s done that all by himself. He’s earned that trust from me. He’s earned the trust in all phases of the game – attacking and defending.

“I’m really pleased he’s got the goals that his performances have deserved. He’s missed a few chances in recent weeks but it’s never been an issue with me as long as you’re doing the right things and he has been.

“Today, he gets rewarded for that. I’m so pleased he’s getting the praise externally because internally, we know how good he is. But externally it’s great that now other people are getting to see it too.”

Longstaff’s semi-final goals came a month after Blyth-born Dan Burn scored the quarter-final winner against Leicester City. Elliot Anderson and Paul Dummett were also on the bench last night, and while Newcastle might be adopting an increasingly global outlook under their new Saudi Arabian owners, they retain a strong local core.

Howe said: “I’m a strong believer in that. I’m a strong believer in local players coming through the system. They understand the club, they understand the feeling of the club.

“Those guys in particular represent the club in such a good way, and they also educate the new players coming in. I think that’s such an important process.

“You can’t keep players from the local area if they’re not good enough – we’re at an elite level, but it’s certainly my wish that that remains the same.”